Chelsea will let Lampard go for 20 mn pounds

The Blues owner has dismissed Inter offers of 8 million pounds and 10 million pounds. But, with the saga dragging on, a more realistic figure could see the England midfielder get his move.

The Daily Star reported last week how Abramovich was furious at Lampards refusal to sign a four-year deal worth 140,000 pounds-a-week.

He felt it was an excellent new contract for a player who has turned 30, but Lampard wanted five years.

Initially, Abramovich indicated he was ready to make Lampard see out the last year of his contract after he made it clear he wants to rejoin former boss Jose Mourinho at Inter.

According to one source close to the Russian, he wanted to see Lampard punished for snubbing a contract worth over 29 million pounds in wages.

New boss Luiz Felipe Scolari is under pressure to leave Lampard out of the team, especially as Chelsea have paid 8 million pounds to bring Deco from Barcelona.

But last night it seemed Abramovich could let Lampard go, if Inter up their bid considerably.

Mourinho hinted yesterday that he was ready to wait until transfer deadline day. The transfer market is open until August 31 and we need a midfielder, Mourinho said as Inter began pre-season training. (ANI)